DOVER — Although labor leaders in New Hampshire are getting behind Democrat Jeanne Shaheen as a strong pick to be the country's next labor secretary, the senior senator from the Granite State says she isn't in a hurry to vacate her post.

Shaheen received high praise Wednesday from Mark MacKenzie, president of the state's AFL-CIO, as well as David Lang, president of the Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire, and State Employees Association President Diana Lacey.

Speaking with WMUR-TV, the three labor leaders said they would support Shaheen if she were nominated by President Barack Obama to replace outgoing Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

Solis announced this week that she will step down as the president begins his second term, opening one more vacancy in the Democratic president's cabinet.

Obama has taken flak this week for nominating a roster of men to fill other vacancies that have arisen. Among those expected to fill new positions in the administration are U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who is awaiting confirmation to be installed as secretary of state, and current White House chief of staff Jack Lew, who was nominated Thursday for the position of secretary of the Treasury.

Sen. Shaheen commented on the slew of male nominations during an interview on MSNBC Thursday. During a segment that included discussion of New Hampshire's all female congressional delegation, Shaheen was asked to comment on the lack of diversity in the president's cabinet picks.

“It's disappointing,” Shaheen said. “Women make up over 50 percent of the population. I would hope the president would follow New Hampshire's lead.”

Officials at the White House press office declined to comment Thursday on whether Shaheen's name has been placed in consideration for the position of labor secretary.

Officials at the AFL-CIO's national headquarters in Washington, D.C., said the group isn't involved in discussions with the administration regarding potential candidates, nor is it offering up any names at this time.

Asked to comment on her name surfacing as a potential pick for labor secretary, Shaheen replied in a written statement: “I appreciate my name being mentioned but I love the job I have representing the people of New Hampshire in the U.S. Senate.”